Time 100 names Tinubu, others as World’s Most Influential People
By Abimbola Mohammed
TIME 100 franchise that recognizes 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of entertainment, health, politics, business and more, has named President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Mr. Tinubu became the president-elect following the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria on 25th February with over 8 million votes in his favour.
According to Time, winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare. Called Jagaban, or “leader of the warriors” by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March.
Time’s official website read: “His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn”, was a nod to his role as a long-time political power broker. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos State.
“But Tinubu’s win with the ruling All Progressives Congress Party (APC) came in a fraught election and by a slim margin over Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. It was the first time Nigerian voters contended with a third-party candidate, and many discontented young Nigerians yearning for change pinned their hopes on Obi. Marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging, the outcome of the ballot is being challenged in court.”
Tinubu now faces a litany of crises in a fractured nation, including deep-rooted corruption, religious insurgencies, and shortages of cash, fuel, and power in a crumbling economy. But the President-elect seems aware of his inheritance: “[Nigeria] is one country and we must build it together,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Other notable influential people that made the list are: Doja Cat, Olena Zelenska, Angela Bassett, Bob Iger, Salman Rushdie, amongst others.
Time 100 is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, assembled by the American news magazine, Time. First published in 1999 as the result of a debate among American academics, politicians, and journalists, the list is now a highly publicized annual event. Appearing on the list is often seen as an honour, and Time makes it clear that entrants are recognized for changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions.
The final list of influential individuals is exclusively chosen by Time editors, with nominations coming from the Time 100 alumni and the magazine’s international writing staff. Only the winner of the Reader’s Poll, conducted days before the official list is revealed, is chosen by the general public.
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